Health Studies
Tai Chi With Mental Imagery Theory Improves Balance & Stability In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

This study investigated the use of a Yang style Tai Chi class with mental imagery in improving balance stability in Type 2 Diabetes patients. At the end of 8 weeks, participants showed a significant improvement in test results.
Abstract:
Objectives:
Diabetes is a disease that leads to damage to the peripheral nerves which may eventually cause balance instability. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 8 weeks of Tai Chi (TC) training combined with mental imagery (MI) on soleus H-reflex and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of the sural and superficial peroneal nerves in people with diabetes. 
Design:
A series of Yang style of Tai Chi classes with mental imagery, one hour, two sessions per week for 8 weeks was done. The Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Functional Reach Test (FRT), and One Leg Standing Test (OLS) were measured as functional data. Hoffman reflex (H-reflex), and sural and superficial peroneal NCV were measured as main outcomes. 
Results:
All functional outcomes measures were significantly improved after the intervention (p<0.01). In the H-reflex, there was a significant increase in amplitude (μV) after completing 8 weeks of TC exercise (p=0.02). In the sural nerve, the velocity (p=0.01), amplitude (p=0.01), and latency (p=0.01) were significantly improved between pre and post-test. In the superficial peroneal nerve, significant improvements were observed in (p=0.02) and latency (p=0.01), but not in amplitude (μV) (p>0.05). 
Conclusion:
Combining TC intervention with MI theory showed an improvement in the H-reflex and NCV tests, which suggests improved balance and walking stability. 
Link:
Alsubiheen, Abdulrahman, et al. “Tai Chi with Mental Imagery Theory Improves Soleus H-Reflex and Nerve Conduction Velocity in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.” Complementary Therapies in Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28434472.
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